Would you like a purple, bee?

I mentioned a few weeks back that the Salvia leucantha plants in my yard seemed to be blooming later than normal. I wasn't sure at the time, but now I am -- they're definitely late this year. I think I got them into the ground later than I should have, or maybe our heatwave/drought this summer set them back a few weeks.

For whatever reason, this lateness means that the hummingbirds didn't get a chance to sample neither their purpleness nor their fuzz, but at least somebody is having a good time with the four plants I have in my garden this year: the bees.

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I've never had this many of this particular Salvia in my yard before -- usually it's a single plant. This year due to an accidental breaking of some branches off my one plant in the spring I ended up with more, and I'm glad I have them. Last year's overwintering strategy didn't work out for me, so this year I can try a few different things and see what works.

But talk of overwintering is premature. It's weeks away, so doesn't yet matter. What does matter now is purple. And bees.

The bees are loving the hundreds of purple blooms that the hummers missed out on.

So which is fuzzier, the plant or the visitor?

I love how the bees all "cheat", bypassing the flower's opening and instead drinking through the side.

Bees are not the only six-legged ones who love the Salvia right now though:

I don't have six legs, but I love it too! The purple fuzziness just makes me smile when I see it.

So next year I'll plant it all over again, but I'll be sure to get it into the ground earlier so the hummingbirds get a shot at it.


If you live in a warmer climate where this can overwinter and get huge, I'd love to see photos of your plant -- it must be a sight!

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